Sisters, Sisters

You would think that with a makeup artist in the family, the Decker girls would get their makeup done all the time. However, besides the occasional prom during highschool I don't really get the opportunity too often. So this was a treat to do all the girls makeup for the family photoshoot. We had Jen Lowe (http://www.jlowephotos.com/) come to the house and just click away. We had a great time and ended up with some beautiful photos. Here are some of my favorites. I added some of my girls even though I didn't do their makeup but they are so cute that I couldn't resist.

The Finished Product

For me there is something magical about seeing a whole look come together. I have a role in just one piece of the complete package of "The Bride." It is actually not very often that I get to see the whole masterpeice (hair, dress, jewelry, shoes, flowers) come together, and it just about kills me. Most the time I have to leave before the bride puts on her dress and I am forced to wait in agony for the bride to send me pictures. BTW, thank you so much to all the brides who do send me those pictures. But for Tina's wedding, I could not help myself, and I refused to leave before I got to see the finished product. Tina just put everything together so beautifully and it was such a treat to see her walk into the room in her gown. Here are some of Tina's pictures and a beautiful shot of her hair (done by Ella http://www.ella.ws///).

Something Blue...

The old rhyme goes "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" and it is fun for me to find out how Brides complete these requirements. Usually the something new is the dress or shoes and often the something old is a piece of family jewelry. I have seen borrowed headpieces, veils and jewelry. But some brides get tripped up by the something blue. My something blue was my garter and I have heard of Brides wearing blue underwear (Lord knows that should not be old or borrowed) but recently I have been seeing more and more blue incorporated into gowns.

Jen did not have a problem with her something blue because she had a blue ribbon right on her dress. She also had a matching Pashmina since it was rather cold that day. Jen got married on October 18, 2008 and I adore how her makeup turned out. As you can see, she has dark hair and bright blue eyes (gorgeous combo). She does not ever wear makeup and she really wanted to look drop dead gorgeous on her wedding day and I think we achieved that. Her photographer (http://www.travishoehne.com/) is based in California and does beautiful work. He is also awesome because he sent me some pictures. It was really hard to limit the amount because they were all amazing. Congratulations Jen and Brent!

Trash the Dress

I think this is one of the best ideas that ever hit the wedding circut. In case you have not heard of a TTD (trash the dress) session, it is a portrait session taken after the wedding in beautiful/funky/rustic settings where the dress essetially gets trashed but the pictures are fantastic. I am so going to do this. I have decided that once I can "fit" into my wedding gown again after the baby weight has disapeared I am doing a TTD session. I am so excited. Afterall, my wedding dress has just sat in a closet for the past five years and I think I am pretty certain that unless I do the TTD it will never see the light of day again.

Here are some pictures of a fabulously fun girl Alisa whose makeup I did for her wedding and her TTD session. The pictures are so fun!

Is that Carrie Underwood?

I have a running joke with the Brides who bring a picture to the trial of Carrie Underwood because I seriously get at least one a month. I guess Carrie just has an All American Girl look with fabulous makeup. Heather was one of those Brides and I think she turned out even better if I do say so myself.

Heather and her now husband Jamie had a fairytale wedding, castle and all. They were married at the Cloisters in Timonium on October 18th which was a beautiful fall day. As you can see, Heather was a breathtaking Bride and she was so fun to work with. Her photographer was one of my favorite photographers ever, Jen Lowe http://www.jlowephotos.com/.

Jen Lowe also put together a beautiful slide show of some other wedding shots so feel free to check it out http://www.jlowephotos.com/blog/slideshows/Raithel/

Happy B-Day Jenn

So the official birthday is November 1st but I am a little busy the next few days with Halloween and weddings and all so I decided to throw out my wishes early. This is my tribute to you Jenn, my only blog follower to date, on your birthday. I wish I could be with you so I could do your makeup and watch your baby Ella for you to have a fabulous night out with your hubby. I guess these pictures of the old days will have to do. Love you.

Anniversary

I thought I would do a tribute to Tracey who just celebrated her one year anniversary. It was almost a year ago exactly that I was doing her makeup for her wedding. I was pregnant, of coarse, as I am for most weddings. But I was newly pregnant and very nauseous but I don't think it showed. Tracey and her sister are obviously twins but they each had their own unique look for the special event. They are such sweet girls and I had a great time helping everyone get ready (despite the nausea). Thanks for the pictures Tracey, Happy Anniversary!

How We Met

One of my favorite things to find out about brides when we meet for a trial is how they met their fiance. Basically, I am a sucker for romance and I get to hear so many sweet stories. My story is pretty simple. When I was in Kindergarten there was an "older" boy, in first grade, who was the cutest thing I had ever seen. My little 5 year old self had no choice but to fall in love with him and he is now my husband. I know this is hard to believe but it really did happen. Of coarse we did not get married until much later.

So maybe one day I will write a book about all of the beautiful stories I hear about people meeting through school, sports, vacation, websites, friends, work, bars, church and even speed dating. I'd love to hear your story.

A Piece of my World

I love what I do! I get to be a part of the best day of a woman's life and my role is to make her the most beautiful she has ever felt. I am so lucky. I have the opportunity to meet women of all walks of life, all different ages and different nationalities. I meet teachers and doctors, lawyers and students, accountants and opera singers. It is such a pleasure to hear people's stories. All of these woman are in love and it is my job to make sure that love shows on their face. I love what I do!